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DVD Review: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008)

I've written much about Aamir Khan Productions' Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), and I do fear boring some of you with more on it (so please bear with me), but I couldn't not dedicate a post to its DVD, which I finally spent a day with last weekend (been watching very few films, as it is). Besides, following a discussion on Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak(1988) with one on Jaane Tu is apt because of the Hussain Khan family's involvement, and because there's Juhi Chawla involved here too!

The two-DVD set includes the film with an optional audio track with Director Abbas Tyrewala's commentary, which is fun and includes a lot of insight on the film. There's an interesting admission by Abbas of the inception of the plot stemming from the desire to have a filmi hero lead a climax at the airport, while poking fun at the ritual by arriving on horseback!

The second DVD is packed with special features, beginning with two songs that did not make the final edit (I think, for the better) -- Jaane Tu Meri Kya Hai (translation) and Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai (translation). The former was filmed with Imran Khan in a desert, which is where only Genelia D'Souza can get away with wearing this...

...and the latter, which was also the subject of this discussion initiated by Aamir, and followed by this experiment. I like this song more, if not for a cool music video, for a rather glamorous Genelia looking amazing (as always).

There's a 90-minute long documentary of sorts, which is where we get input from almost everyone from the cast and many from the crew. Abbas confesses his concerns with proving his competence to Aamir. Producer Mansoor Khan talks about the music. A. R. Rahman discusses how the immensely popular Pappu Can't Dance wasn't even part of the initial soundtrack. Aamir talks of the only time he made it to the sets. Genelia talks of turning lemon into lemonade. And hair treatment involving mineral water!

There's a lot more to Abbas Tyrewala that is a lot more fun and just plain interesting, that we learn from others, including from Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal. Abbas specifically mentions what he wrote in a comment to this post on Nazrein Milaana (it's him!). Kudos to Nirav Mehta (Jiggy) for composing and singing a hilarious Gujarati version of this song. It went like, "Dil, kyaare gandu, kyaare chhe nek bandu," and I'm sure if you understand the language, you'll find it very funny.

There's nothing funny about Genelia being off-screen who she is in the film. She really is. Awesome.

The rest of the gang is featured prominently, and let me tell you, the 'freak out steps' and especially 'Pappu Dance' are well-integrated into the vocabulary of my fellow clubbing friends ;) Aamir's on the sets of Ghajini here:

This is also where we learn some about Prateik Babbar and this weird look:

Abbas, *what* in the world are you doing, sir? :D

Production stills include some very cool ones. Sample this:

And this:

On to my favorite bit, the video from the premiere. (Here's a related video of the event, not from the DVD). Now, I realize I might be going overboard with the upcoming screenshots, but can you blame me when Juhi Chawla (haaye Allah!)is in the house?

Or when Tabu graces everyone with her presence?

Or when Sridevi is there too?

Or when Sonam Kapoor walks in?

Raveena Tandon!

Genelia.

Dia Mirza.

Genelia.

Darsheel Safary from Taare(2007) is going to star in an Aamir Khan Productions film again, some day.

Ashutosh Gowariker, of course.

A. R. Rahman is just cool, man.

Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir in 2008, versus Amitabh and Aamir in 1988 in that Filmfare Awards video in the QSQT post.

Only Style Bhai (ONLY him) can show up in jeans...

...and still fit right in.

Pooja Bedi and Aamir go back a long way.

And you must see and hear this segment of the footage to believe how many were present at the foot of this theater in Nagpur.

And finally...there's an interview of Aamir and Imran to CNN-IBN, in which we see this picture of Imran.

That yellow sword is of none other than He-Man!!! This sword was awesome. Available only in the United Kingdom under a limited edition line, it had the sound that typically followed 'I have the power' in the He-Man ATMOTU series in the mid-1980s (yes, the one with Battle Cat!), and included blue and red flashing lights at the press of a button. Now, please don't ask me how I know (or remember). Some things are too precious to hold on to for life. For everything else, there's...oh well, I'm not about to market any brand other than AKP, so adios, and have a great start to your week, everyone! I'll go have some bhel puri while the weekend lasts ;)

Consider this UTV release a must-have if you enjoyed the film. I wish they'd included a compilation of highlights from the background score with it (as they did with TZP), because that unsung hero of the film is a masterpiece in its own right. We'll just have to make do with the soundtrack.

DVD rating: 4/5 (Excellent!)Helps to have a fine film to put onto disc.

21 comments:

I remember going to see this in the theatre..My freinds have to literally be dragged to see an indian movie with me and i sit in fear because if they dont love it, they give me HELL. Fortunately, they came out smiling from this one and i could feel proud of myself for picking wisely. I had no expectations from jaane tu.. but i think it will remain a favorite. I loveeeeeeeeeeeee the airport scene and the scene where he goes to meet meow's parents for a job/proposal.

Thanks a lot for the review. Just now I found Abbas had commented in ur post. Wow ! Ooh, and that 'Jiggy' song is just so hilarious. Man, are you in favor of another movie with same characters?? Not a sequel. But kinda movie series. They would be fantastic. And that too, with addition of Mala !!

Thanks for the linklove man.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Genelia ;D

'HeMan-And the masters of the universe...' is echoing in my mind right now !! That sword is really extra precious thing. I too loved that time when it was aired on good old DD. And I remember getting frightened by Skeleton.

And yeah, I mentioned this earlier too. That Background score CD would be a must have.

This all reminds me that I was given the boxed special edition set with this dvd last Christmas. And I haven't watch disc two yet! What a waste, I must get to it immediately. I look forward to seeing what they did with those songs that were dropped from the final edit, because one of them is an big favourite of mine. It's the 'mera' one rather than the 'meri' one because the singer is Sukhwinder Singh. Must put it on ... right away!

Saw this twice in the theater here in Chicago, paisa vasool both times. LOVED it! I have the dvd and funnily, 'Jane tu mera kya hai' (female) is my fave song in the album, yes more than 'Aditi'. And I WANT that kitten that Abbas has, GIMME!

JJC: Good going with your friends at the cinema! Anything from Aamir Khan Productions seems to be a safe bet. I can't wait to Delhi Belly (also starring Imran). The airport scene here is real fun, suspension of disbelief in all its glory, and that job/proposal scene is extremely well executed too, absolutely agree. I like that Aditi's parents often played Scrabble. If I live long enough, I'd probably be doing that some day, LOL.

Darshit: That song by Jiggy gets better. "Dil nu bharoso, kevi reete koi kare?", ROTFL. It'd be nice to have them all under Jaane Tu, I can't imagine them doing something else together, although I wouldn't complain about it. Mala's addition would be fun. Besides, they need someone opposite Shaleen, and I'm volunteering! ;) Genelia is just amazing throughout. I hope we see more of her, and soon!

I saw the new He-Man from earlier this decade (on Cartoon Network), and it's not even close to the class of the older one. I wish I'd saved my action figures. :'( Skeletor is my Mogambo equivalent of a legend. Too cool.

And if not for the kick-butt background score, Jaane Tu would have been a completely different movie, we agree 100%!

Joss: We seem to have taken our time with it, which is not bad as long as we get to it ;) I hope you enjoy the second DVD, and that Sukhwinder song. What I should have mentioned in the post is the quality of the deleted scenes, which was very good as well. So definitely be on the lookout.

Pitu: I was quite surprised at how well 'Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai' was shot. It's good you agree with my view, although I know for entirely different reasons, LOL. There's this deleted scene involving a kitten which I think would have been great in the film, and if you haven't seen it, definitely check it out!

Filmi Girl! You're very welcome. I draw inspiration from some of your posts with pictures, it's always fun to see our favorite stars at an event. Style Bhai rocks. :) Each of us probably has this set of movies, responses to which we categorize as 'unexplained', that's what makes it all so complex! And so beautiful!

I must say, I enjoyed most the director's commentary by Abbas... Hilarious... Especially all those funny details about the man with the ears...

By viewing the He-Man picture my eyes seem to wander to the psychedelic 70s wallpaper... My parents had almost the same... :-)

I think the music of JTYJN is very good. My favourite song is Nazrein milaana nazrein churaana... I like the laidback feeling... and the interaction within the group of friends. And of course it bears one of my favourite AK movies in its lyrics... :-)

Kristine, thanks for stopping by and for your comment. The commentary throughout was engaging, I really enjoyed it.

I love the music to Jaane Tu. I think it's at least in the top two of 2008, and I'm torn between 'Nazrein Milaana' and 'Kahin Toh Hogi' as the favorite, so I'll say I love them both. That reference in the former is well done, right. I hope you get a chance to check out this post :)

Thanks for encouraging me to write about it, Bhargav :) I definitely like the movie more today than I did last July, and that's saying something. Hopefully you'll find it that way too. Any time on the link, your point on the airport climax is very valid, and Abbas Tyrewala has addressed this concern in his commentary, so be on the lookout for that!

Nida: I'd be curious to know what you think of that song. I'm glad it wasn't included. Speaking of He-Man and She-Ra, did you ever see the animated film 'The Secret of the Sword'? I used to live in Eternia for the most part, but it was an interesting dive into Etheria at the time, must say. Besides, since you bring up the Bollywood connection, there's a very specific scene in Ghajini that reminds me of He-Man at the mercy of Hordak (and the Evil Horde!). And we must definitely be around the same age to even have this discussion, LOL.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na was my last Hindi Film in India (I watched Dark Knight after that), and I loved it. Imraan is definitely the new torchbearer of the Khan legacy, and the music by Rahman is spellbinding as usual. I am still not over Kabhi Kabhi Aditi, but my personal favorite is the Jazz influenced title track. Here's my review: http://oneknightstands.net/movie-review-jaane-tu-ya-jaane-naa/

I loved"The Secret of the Sword!" We should do a watchalong sometime:) Havent' seen it in ages....Getting back to JTYJN, I do like this song, but wasn't crazy about the picturization...it could have worked for me had it been played as a background piece at some point in the film. Genelia looks beautiful, but this picturization reminds me more of her character in "Bommarillu" than in JTYJN.

Sujoy: Thanks for stopping by, and I do envy you for having seen this at a theater in India! Imran's beginnings sure are interesting. I really liked the songs, here's a post on the jazz tune you refer to. I'll definitely look forward to checking out your blog, hopefully this weekend once work is out of the system for more than eight hours at a stretch, LOL.

Nida: I thought so!!! I haven't seen it in ages either, but I can't forget the opening scene with the restaurant and the harp, and the scene in which He-Man's energy is drained by this machine that looks like a telephone booth without the telephone (at least that's how I remember it). Anyway, back to Jaane Tu...I don't think the majority of the target audience of Jaane Tu have seen Bommarillu, but I do agree with you. Genelia is great in any way, so I'll always be on the 'we want more' wagon :)

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